AT&T, Magic Leap agree to strategic partnership deal

AT&T has announced a new strategic partnership is being entered into with Magic Leap. The deal grants AT&T exclusive rights to be the wireless distributor of Magic Leap products in the U.S. Magic Leap has indicated they expect to bring their product – a “mixed reality” headset – to the retail market before the end of 2018.

AT&T did not share information on how much was paid or what other consideration may have been provided to obtain this exclusive distributor partnership. However, sources have noted that the announcement refers to AT&T being the wireless distributor, so other retail sources may be in the mix, but wireless carriers will probably not be competing with AT&T. There was no information provided as to how long the exclusive nature of the partnership may last.

Magic Leap’s first product is called the “Magic Leap One” and consists of a headset, a small computing unit that one would wear on their hip, and some controllers. One of the goals appears to be to make the Magic Leap One comparable to AR headsets that have to be connected to a computer to drive the high end graphics. Magic Leap has indicated in the past that they are also working on technology that transmits light into a user’s eyes versus the user viewing a screen. This is supposed to help with realism according to past statements.

Magic Leap has raised around $2 billion dollars while working toward getting a product to market. Notable among their major investors are Google, Alibaba, and J.P. Morgan. Along with this new deal with AT&T, Magic Leap has partnerships in place with the NBA and with LucasFilm.

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.